Previous magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies of
endothelial activation in the mouse brain post-ischemia have demonstrated
rather low contrast sensitivity using a novel contrast probe, Gd-DTPA-B(sLex)A,
designed to bind to selectin molecules. Thus, prior knowledge of whether a
contrast agent binds with sufficient affinity to its intended molecular target
could be a valuable tool. The aim of our study was to develop an assay that
would allow us to evaluate the MRI contrast sensitivity and the binding affinity
of Gd-DTPA B(sLeX)A for P-selectin in vitro.